Two Precious Lives

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Ma is probably the first word most children learn to utter. It is the easiest word or may be it is easy because the mother and child are connected in that very special way that no other relation can compete with it. I would say, I am lucky, because I have two such wonderful relations in my life – my mom, who gave birth to me (Amma) and my other mom with whom I grew up for the better part of my childhood (Mummy).

The interesting part of the whole scenario was that at all times I have had the benefit of both moms in my life, adding different perspectives and caring for me in their own special ways. They both are sisters and married to two brothers and due to a quirk of fate (which I consider to be quite lucky), I got to know both my moms intimately. Though both the ladies are sisters, they are different in many ways and have always added value to my life at every stage.

Amma, who is my biological mother, is an ambitious lady, who instilled in me and my sister to be absolutely fearless and independent. It is because of her that I have independently taken all the major decisions of my life and never had the smallest regret. She is one of the best story tellers I have ever come across and she was the one who introduced me to the world of Jeffrey Archer through ‘As the crow flies’, book. It is not the book that I enjoyed, but it was the ambitious and never say die attitude of the lead characters that has always inspired me to achieve what I want in my life. She is the one who has always listened to the unending dreams/discourses/plans that I have made for myself and in time supported them all.

Mummy on the other hand is a wonderful cook and the person who taught me to be myself. Unknowingly, she taught me the love for cooking good food and to take care of a whole lot of things that are needed to create and maintain a home. Her unconstrained, unbridled way of life has always helped me to do what I please and yet maintain the sanity in my life. Her green fingers were the one that taught me how to love nature and everything in it. To cater to sweet-peas and dahlias in the winter or calendulas and zinnias during spring, it is all her love for the plants and nature that got transpired to me – without even a single spoken word.

If one mom has taught me to look after home, surroundings and its affairs then the other has taught me to face the big bad world with a confidence and optimism that are unshakable. I enjoy the best of both worlds and I am a witness to two precious lives, who have made me what I am today.

Happy Mother’s Day to you both – Amma and Mummy, for always taking care of me and preparing me to be a good mother too.

 

Age

I have always believed that age is just for the people around and may be yes, for getting the next job. My funda remains that each year, each birthday ushers  a new year into our life and with it brings a whole new gamut of experiences and learnings. 

So, this Jan,  I turned 27 and I am quite happy of this fact. I am 27, only this one year and will never be at this age ever again. There are positives and negatives of every age, every year and I am here to enjoy the most of the experiences this year. 26 was excellent and went exactly how I could have hoped

My mobile messages made me write this post. Well, these days I only get messages from Airtel, Samsung and other such companies. Messages from friends are simply numbered, as we prefer talking, when we have the time, than actually texting. Just made me wonder how things change with age.

Today also happens to be two of my darling cousin brothers’ birthday – So wish you both, Ani and Chetan, a great year ahead guys

And also, Chandu & Prashant’s Second Wedding Anniversary – WOW – Have fun guys!

 

Decision

I am glad that I took time to decide what I really wanted to do. It is never easy for an individual to find out what he/she really wishes to do. For many, it is a matter of chance that they come upon something that they enjoy and stick doing it. Very few, actually realise their dream or rather their calling right at the outset of their life.

In my case, the shift to being a Corporate Trainer has been very thought out process which took up a lot of my energies. But, at the end of it all I like what I am doing right now. I was asked -What is my ‘Legacy’? I figured that legacy is something that we would want others to know us as and one doesn’t have to wait decades before they claim to have a legacy. Simply put, it is a culmination of your passion, goals and ethics to live up to what you truly believe in and want to be. It is a continuos process of self-realization that can help an individual to either work at his/her goals and to make sure they are on the right path, both personally and professionally. 

I have realised some aspects and I am working at many more and this new year will see work on a lot of them. 

Believing that this new year, you will also find all that you genuinely want…

Happy New Year – 2009!

 

Last Day

After working for 5 years,  finally decided to quit Infosys. One of the most respectable companies of our times and a great place. Politics and frustrations are a part of any job, but all in all it was a great experience. It has been sometime since I wanted to make this move and when I finally did it, strangely I had no feelings. Only when I returned by ID card, did I feel a slight tinge somewhere in my heart. I suppose change, good or bad imposed or self-made, is tough to handle, till one gets used to it.

So what I wrote as a parting mail.. or rather as a Change Over is as follows. The mail summarises the essence of my Infy experience.

Dear Friends,

I started my professional career with Infosys on 17^th November, 2003 and now a month short of 5 years, 17^th October,2008, I have decide to make a change. I am taking up a career as a Corporate Trainer in the Soft Skills arena and hope to make a mark in this field.

My experience with Infy has been a mixed bag, with both ups and downs and I have enjoyed the ride all through. There have been times when I felt I should run away from here and also times when I have enjoyed it to the hilt. On-site experiences, late night slogging, bench periods, each phase has taught me something valuable.

Coming to all the Infoscions I met here, my mentors who have helped me make a mark for myself, different shades of people with whom I have worked and also so many friends and acquaintances who made Infy complete for me, thanks a lot for being there.

I believe that this shift is a minor change and I hope to stay in touch with you all, always.

Cheers,

Manasa Pamaraju.

PS: I was informed that this ID would be deleted on 17^th Oct, 2008 by 5:15 PM. Kindly redirect your replies to my personal ID after 5:15 PM

Being a human, I enjoyed all the replies and lovely response I got from a number of my friends and colleagues.

 

Essentials

I have traveled a lot in the last one year. A new country and its ways have kept me intrigued, busy and wanting for more. But wait, there is something very peculiar that happened. I am now a little tired of my holiday. Doesn’t that sound strange? I actually want to be the part of the rat-race that I so wanted to be away from, just a year ago.

I have covered most parts of US: both prominent and not so very prominent. My husband and I have driven through the hills and valleys of northern New Hampshire and Vermont, also drove through the states of Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Florida. The roads stretch on for miles and miles all across this country. The foresight which made the Americans to build such roads and develop this infrastructure amazes me.

I am back to my homeland now. Thought a lot about what I should be doing with my life and I can say that yes, I am rearing to start out a new life!

Wish me luck

 

Master Card

“There are some things money can’t buy, for everything else there is Master Card.” The punch line is too good to be forgotten or to be ignored. Often I have pondered over what all are these “some things”.

A soft touch, a spontaneous hug, a smile can be said as some small things that money can never buy. They become all the more worth when coming from a person you love. Some nights before, having come across a similar situation, I was asked if the same satisfaction and happiness can be given to me if I were given a BMW. Surely not! There are certain achievements in life that come from pure love, sheer passion and total disregard to what others think. The people who manage to live by them are the true winners.

The outcome of these achievements could be success in relationships and/or profession. We hear people emphasizing the importance of the personal life and relationships and lecturing about the need to slow down professionally. How many have actually thought that if a person is a go-getter professionally, has an ambition to succeed beyond all odds, then what’s he/she made up of? For the better part of the times this is a consideration given to men and off late to some women. Man being the traditional bread winner, the ambition and stubbornness was and is still acceptable. In the changing times we have some women joining this club. It is a welcome change and what is even nicer is the fact, many of these ambitious or super-ambitious men actually want such women in their life too.

I had started this post with a plan to write about the “some things” and “everything else” that money cannot/can buy. A lot has been said about the finer aspects and emotional support. But having them is just not enough. Rather I would say, because you have them, you now should be in a position to get more from life. Otherwise, where is the difference between you and the ordinary bloke on the road? In the mire of comparisons, unsatisfied jobs, and daily routines – we somehow tend to loose the focus on the bigger picture.

Living in the present and looking ahead, just a tad little bit toward the bigger picture can help ease one out of lot of frustrating things. A preachy blog! Well, yes. Thought it was pertinent to the busy, horrid schedules that we lead. And having learnt to tackle it, I do have some right to preach. What say?

 

Topsy – Turvy

Hit and trials, endless discussions and heated arguments seemed the norm of the day for a while now. There was a point when I prayed that time would just be forwarded and I wake up four years older. Can you beat that?? How desperate did I get to be left all alone and by myself.

Have you heard of life going topsy-turvy? Priorities changing dramatically, twenty-four hours seeming too less and days flying past before you can stop to take notice and somehow just not being able to take out time for anyone or anything else. With no further narratives let me end this and get to the crux of the matter.

To sum it up in one word or rather sentence, I have found that person with whom I would like to spend the rest of my life with.

I don’t seem to be scared about it nor flustered. Uncertainty of future (ah! a paradox), don’t seem to bother me and before anyone starts to assume, let me say I have no tinted glasses either. But definitely life seems much better.

 

Profile

A painting by Mary Cassat

 

Can’t think of a title!

Ahh!! I finally get some time to start this new year on my blog. 2006 seems to have gone past in a whiff. Thought it was just my perception, surprisingly many people have concurred on this. In a way, it feels good.

2007 is here and we are soon to hit mid Jan. I am yearning for a pause: a pause from duties, responsibilities, ambition and relationships. Not that I am vexed, but then life a little slow paced would probably suit me a lot better. May be just take a year off and go around India. Splendid!

But, the flip side of all this is that am enjoying myself tremendously. Just read about the ephemeral and ever changing factor in life conveyed as a simile through Water. Yes, I quite agree to that.

Coming in touch with long lost friends, one always ends up being jittery as to how would this meeting be. The moment you meet the void automatically fills up and there seems to be a continuum of time. The magic of the days gone by rekindles itself and results in the best.

This year, has started on a similar note. Lets see hows the desert safari this year )

 

Urge

The urge to blog comes up at the most inopportune moments. Worst time is when the lights are out and am cozily wrapped up in my blanket. I think am at my scribing best at that time and totally loath the idea of changing status quo. Chances are rare when I have overcome my “Garfieldian” tendencies to open my lappy and start scribbling.
Presumably this situation is similar with many of us. Some I heard, have their brainwaves in the loo (man! What a place!!??!!) . I wonder what all are the other places/times when the bulb glows. (doesn’t that phrase immediately remind one of the scene when Jerry has a brainwave to tackle Tom? It does for me )

So whenever or whatever, I hope the bulbs keep popping for you when required all through the coming year.

Yippie…. 2007 is coming soon.